Knitting Decrease Spacing Calculator

Distribute standard single decreases as evenly as possible across a row or round. This calculator assumes each decrease uses two stitches and turns them into one, reducing the total by one stitch.

Method: after reserving two stitches for every decrease, the remaining plain stitches are divided into one more work section than the number of decreases. Section boundaries are rounded to the nearest stitch.

How to read the result

Work the first plain-stitch section, make one decrease over the next two stitches, work the next plain-stitch section, and continue. The last plain section is worked after the final decrease.

What counts as one decrease?

The calculation models a decrease such as k2tog or ssk: two existing stitches become one stitch. A centred double decrease or any decrease that removes more than one stitch needs a different calculation.

When not to use even spacing

Garment shaping, lace, raglan lines and decorative decreases often require exact placement. In those cases, use the positions given by the pattern.

Worked example

Starting with 20 stitches and making 4 standard single decreases leaves 12 plain stitches to distribute around four decrease operations. The plain sections become 2 · 3 · 2 · 3 · 2, and the final stitch count is 16.

Common question

Can I use this for a centred double decrease? No. This calculator models a two-stitches-to-one decrease. A decrease that removes two stitches needs a different calculation.

Related knitting tools

Increase Spacing Calculator · Stitch Count Calculator · Pattern Resize Calculator